Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are ahead and will be used as reference points says Ivan Ljubicic

Former World No.3 Ivan Ljubicic recently spoke on the rivalry between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, claiming the duo will set the standard for other ATP players in the coming years.

Between the electrifying duo, Sinner and Alcaraz have won the three ‘big titles’ on offer so far in the 2024 season. Sinner lifted his maiden Grand Slam at this year's Australian Open, in addition to the ATP Masters 1000 event at the Miami Open, which saw him overtake Alcaraz as World No.2. Conversely, the Spaniard won the other ATP Masters 1000 event at Indian Wells, ending an eight-month title drought.

Read also

Jannik Sinner in pole position to dethrone Novak Djokovic midway through clay court swing: Here's when he can do it

Uncertainty around Djokovic puts Sinner and Alcaraz ahead, says Ljubicic

The 45-year-old, who coached Roger Federer from 2016 until his retirement in 2022, believes Sinner and Alcaraz are ahead of the rest of the tour this year. With World No.1 Novak Djokovic yet to win a title since last year's ATP Finals, Ljubicic is of the opinion that there was little reason to doubt the potential of the young duo.

"I believe that at this moment, waiting to understand how Djokovic is, Alcaraz and Sinner are ahead of all the others and will remain there in the coming years too," the 10-time ATP titlist predicted. "They will be the points of reference."
“It was just a matter of resetting and starting again, and he had already shown that he knew how to do it: after losing the Masters final in Turin in November, he won 19 matches in a row and the first Slam of his career,” added the Croatian when speaking about Sinner losing to Alcaraz at Indian Wells. The history of Jannik’s journey in recent years teaches us that he will have already analyzed all the details that didn’t work to be ready with countermeasures next time: he learns from defeats, he doesn’t get depressed because he lost.
“On the other side of the net, there is always an opponent, let’s not forget that. And in the case of Alcaraz, he is an opponent who has already won two Slams at the age of 20 therefore with enormous qualities.
“On the other hand, there are very few players who can put Sinner in difficulty, and it is not certain that the Spaniard’s winning Indian Wells tactics will bear the same fruits in the future.”